USA will face first challenge at UMMC Ekaterinburg tourney

While we await formal word from USA Basketball about the specifics of the upcoming senior national team training camp, we can tell you that the first challege for Geno Auriemma's team will be against the top professional teams in Russia and the Czech Republic.

Russian champions UMMC Ekaterinburg, which feature Connecticut Sun center Sandrine Gruda, forward Asjha Jones and Cappie Pondexter of the Phoenix Mercury, will host a tournament from Oct. 9-11 that will feature CSKA Moscow, USKA Prague and the US team, which will be playing for the first time as a unit.

Jones and Pondexter are among the 20 or so players who will attend USA Basketball's first tryout camp in late September, most likely in Washington, D.C.

By the way, Ekateriburg is currently the front-runner for the services of Candace Parker, the former Tennessee All-American and reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year and MVP with the Los Angeles Sparks. The club will decide by early October if they are to invite Parker to join them.